Domestic registry on North Port agenda

In February, former Sarasota city commissioner Ken Shelin — who convinced the cities of Sarasota and Venice to establish a registry for unmarried couples — asked the North Port commission to do the same.

Published: Sunday, September 22, 2013 at 4:06 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, September 22, 2013 at 4:06 p.m.

NORTH PORT - North Port could become the third municipality in Sarasota County to create a domestic partnership registry.

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The North Port City Commission will discuss the possible creation of a domestic partnership registry during its 6 p.m. meeting today at City Hall, 4970 City Hall Blvd., North Port.

City Commissioner Rhonda DiFranco got the topic put on the agenda for tonight's City Commission meeting.

In February, former Sarasota city commissioner Ken Shelin — who convinced the cities of Sarasota and Venice to establish a registry for unmarried couples — asked the North Port commission to do the same.

Mayor Linda Yates told him the commissioners would take the matter “under consideration.”

Yet the topic only recently resurfaced when DiFranco asked two weeks ago that it be discussed tonight.

“I'll be there,” Shelin said. “I'm hoping they'll take a vote to have the city attorney draft an ordinance.”

The registry would be for unmarried couples, regardless of gender, who want to ensure they can make medical, funeral and other decisions as each other's caregiver — just as married couples can legally do.

“It's used to establish that a family relationship exists,” Shelin previously explained.

The North Port commissioners will have copies of the Venice and Sarasota ordinances, should they want to review the examples with their attorney tonight.

Both ordinances require couples to share a residence and be age 18 or older. Neither partner can be married to someone else.

Venice and Sarasota charge a $30 fee to record a couple's affidavit.

In June, the Sarasota County Commission instructed its attorneys to draft a registry ordinance for the unincorporated area. Yet they said they wanted a more tightly worded law, perhaps with disclaimers.

The county commissioners said they would prefer that the state Legislature address the issue. Shelin and others have tried for the past five years to get a statewide registry but the Legislature has repeatedly declined.

The 2010 census indicated that 12 percent of Americans, (more than 6.7 million households) identify themselves as a domestic partnership.

<p><em>NORTH PORT</em> - North Port could become the third municipality in Sarasota County to create a domestic partnership registry.</p><p>City Commissioner Rhonda DiFranco got the topic put on the agenda for tonight's City Commission meeting.</p><p>In February, former Sarasota city commissioner Ken Shelin — who convinced the cities of Sarasota and Venice to establish a registry for unmarried couples — asked the North Port commission to do the same.</p><p>Mayor Linda Yates told him the commissioners would take the matter “under consideration.”</p><p>Yet the topic only recently resurfaced when DiFranco asked two weeks ago that it be discussed tonight.</p><p>“I'll be there,” Shelin said. “I'm hoping they'll take a vote to have the city attorney draft an ordinance.”</p><p>The registry would be for unmarried couples, regardless of gender, who want to ensure they can make medical, funeral and other decisions as each other's caregiver — just as married couples can legally do.</p><p>“It's used to establish that a family relationship exists,” Shelin previously explained.</p><p>The North Port commissioners will have copies of the Venice and Sarasota ordinances, should they want to review the examples with their attorney tonight.</p><p>Both ordinances require couples to share a residence and be age 18 or older. Neither partner can be married to someone else.</p><p>Venice and Sarasota charge a $30 fee to record a couple's affidavit.</p><p>In June, the Sarasota County Commission instructed its attorneys to draft a registry ordinance for the unincorporated area. Yet they said they wanted a more tightly worded law, perhaps with disclaimers.</p><p>The county commissioners said they would prefer that the state Legislature address the issue. Shelin and others have tried for the past five years to get a statewide registry but the Legislature has repeatedly declined.</p><p>The 2010 census indicated that 12 percent of Americans, (more than 6.7 million households) identify themselves as a domestic partnership.</p>